Boat Shipping Preparation Guide

Boat Transport Preparation Basics

• Stow all loose gear and secure. All gear stored below must be well secured. Lock the cabin.
• Boat gear only, we cannot ship household goods.
• Boats should be shipped with minimal fuel and water in tanks. Remove any drain plug from hull. There should not be any water in bilge while it is being transported. During winter months, water should be drained from water system, pumps, air conditioners, etc. and you should winterize your boat.
• Disconnect batteries and secure.
• Remove anchors from the deck.

Boat Transport Canvas Preparation

• All canvas must be removed, as it will tear or fly off in transit.

Boat Transport Cradles and Trailers

• If your boat has its own cradle, please inspect it carefully for loose bolts or weakness of any kind. If your cradle breaks in transit, causing damage to your boat, we cannot accept responsibility. If you are shipping your boat on its own trailer, we cannot accept responsibility should the trailer or frame cause damage, or if the trailer breaks apart causing damage.

Boat Transport of Dinghy

• If you are shipping a dinghy on board, or if you have any superstructure, these items should be well padded.
• DO NOT leave the dinghy on davits.

Boat Transporting of External Accessories

• All electronics, radar, hailers, horn, antennas, lifeline, stanchions, propellers, flag masts, lights, windshield, etc. must be removed, packed securely and securely stored below.

Boat Transport Preparation of Hatches

• Tie and/or tape hatches from the outside. If the hatches or decks leak, seal them. A boat will not sit in the same position on our trailer as it does in the water and we cannot be responsible for rainwater entering through a leaky hatch or deck.

Boat Transport Preparation of Windows, Windshields, Weatherboards and Windscreens

• Cabin windows should be hatched and taped from the outside, any canvas or fiberglass weatherboards or windscreens must be removed.
• All windshields and/or Plexiglas that protrudes over the flying bridge should be removed, packed with a cargo blanket and should be well secured below.

Additional Instructions for Transporting Sailboats

• All rigging, halyards, winches, wind indicators and lights must be removed from the mast. All wires must be secured and wrapped. Carpet should be provided for the mast at the points of tie down. Expect some chafing at these points. If the mast is painted, it is almost impossible to keep the paint from chafing. Do not secure the mast to the boat: there is a space on the trailer for the mast. On certain types of sailboats, the mast will have to be transported on top of the boat. In this case, the mast will be secured by the shipper.
• Lifelines, stanchions, bow and stern pulpits should be removed if they render the boat over height: generally boats over 30’ long and 11” high. On centerboard sailboats, make sure the board is secured and will stay up in transit. Keel sailboats may expect some separation where the keel joins the hull. Light built or racing sailboats can expect come hull indentation from the support pads. Core hulls may have core delaminating or indentations at support points.

Additional Instructions for Powerboats

• Many express powerboats must be loaded backwards. Remove all wrap around windshield.
• Remove all propellers, flag masts, lights, outriggers, antennas, windshield etc.
• If your powerboat is low enough to ship with the flying bridge on, remove all lights, wheels, masts and windshields that protrude over the bridge. All Plexiglas should be removed and packed below with a cargo blanket. If your powerboat is NOT low enough to ship with the flying bridge on, you will have to have a cradle built for the bridge to be shipped on for the forward deck or cockpit area. Every point touching the deck or rails must be sufficiently padded. Remove all electronics and valuable items from the bridge, pack securely and store below.